Preview: Reading v Millwall

Millwall head to Reading this evening looking to record a first win in Berkshire since a Neil Harris hat-trick inspired The Lions to a 4-3 victory in January 2001.

Since then, The Royals have proved to be something of a bogey team, winning 10 and drawing three of the resulting 14 fixtures in total, with The Lions recording a solitary success thanks to a Danny Dichio goal in November 2003.

However Millwall's last two fixtures at the Madejski have finished all-square and Ian Holloway's men go into action tonight determined to put Saturday's disappointing performance - and result - at Ipswich Town firmly behind them.

Having bossed certainly the opening 30 minutes at Portman Road, Ollie's side were caught by a sucker-punch opening goal from David McGoldrick on the stroke of half-time before Daryl Murphy capitalised on some poor defensive play from a corner to put the result beyond doubt.

It was The Lions first away defeat on their travels since March and now boss Ollie is expecting an immediate response to the Ipswich game.

Reading, managed by former Scunthorpe United boss Nigel Adkins, are currently sitting ninth spot in the Championship table with 10 points, below The Lions and Blackburn on goal difference.
What the management says

"We have to get strong, we have a long way to go. Everyone was excited before the Ipswich game, now they're not. Now it's up to us; dust yourself down and let's get going, let's have a go. I'm going to be one point short of what I wanted, I asked them for seven out of nine. We have got to win these other two and I’ll still only get six."Ian Holloway:

Nigel Adkins: "Saturday's 3-0 win against Fulham was a great start to a busy block of games. It's not about 11 players, it's about the entire squad and everyone is working for each other which is really pleasing."

Team news

Ian Holloway could be tempted to tinker with his team in a bid to improve on Millwall's goal return of six goals from six League games, but he will have to manage without the services of winger Lee Martin (knee) and striker Lee Gregory (hip).

New signing Mathias Ranegie, who made his full debut at Ipswich, could make a second successive start for The Lions, but faces competition from Ricardo Fuller up front. Magaye Gueye, Fred Onyedinma, Ed Upson, Jimmy Abdou and Richard Chaplow are all pushing for a first-team start too as Ollie weighs up his midfield and striking options.

Reading duo Nick Blackman and Pavel Pogrebnyak were both used as subs against Fulham and will be available again, whilst Garath McCleary, Shaun Cummings, former Lions loanee Jem Karacan, Danny Williams and Anton Ferdinand are sidelined.

Head-to-head

This evening's match will be the 97th meeting between the two clubs, and as it stands The Royals just edge the stats with 39 wins to Millwall's 35 in all competitions. The remaining 22 matches have finished all square.

Reading eased to a comfortable 3-0 win the last time the two teams met in the Championship thanks to goals from Pavel Pogrebnyak, Alex Pearce and Daniel Williams. However the 10 men of Millwall recorded a gutsy 1-1 draw at the Madejski Stadium on their last visit courtesy of an injury-time Liam Trotter penalty five minutes after Jimmy Abdou had been harshly dismissed.

Coverage

from 7.50pm.Lions PlayerWe will have all the action covered with live match commentary on

As well, you can follow live updates on the club's official Twitter account and join the conversation by using #RFCvMFC in your tweets.